2021 Toyota 4Runner – What are the changes

It has been known for a while that Toyota had no plans to launch the brand new off-road SUV before the end of the decade. That means that we still need to wait for two more years to get a glimpse of a new car.
The claims turn out to be accurate and the company plans have been confirmed with the first testing of the 2021 Toyota 4Runner, which is currently the focus of the Japanese manufacturer. While they are definitely preparing big things in the future, let’s focus on the upgraded 4Runner instead of playing a guessing game.

Basic Information

The ongoing generation of the 4Runner has been on the market since 2009, which means that it is ripe for overhaul. In order to beat the current competition, Toyota will have to step up. This will not be as easy as it may sound, because the rivals are fierce and all of them provide more benefits for the buyers who have more reasons to buy some other vehicle instead of the 4Runner. Does Toyota have a bulletproof plan? 2021 Toyota Tacoma Rumors and News

Platform and Suspension – 2021 Toyota 4Runner

The basis of the 2021 Toyota 4Runner will be similar to the underpinnings located under the skin of the Toyota Tacoma. Even though this will be an off-roader, Toyota will do its best to make it as comfortable as possible. While major changes are due to happen, the manufacturer decided not to tweak the suspension at all.
Of course, since this is Toyota we are talking about expect to see prominent off-road features, especially on the TRD model. Speaking of the TRD, it will be equipped with the standard Fox internal bypass shocks, whereas the tires will have stiffer sidewall. Tacoma’s multi-terrain select switch will also be transferred to the 4Runner. This feature sets up throttle and hill-descent control, power distribution and traction settings for different surfaces including snow, sand mud and even rocks.
This tells us that the 4Runner will be suitable for every terrain, which is expected. The 2021 model will have some differences compared to the previous version. For instance, the new car should offer a lot better and softer riding experience mostly thanks to the fact that Toyota modified damping and spring rates.

Engine Options

Finally, Toyota decided to give up on the old-fashioned 4.0-liter V6 engine as well as the 5-speed transmission. Instead, they will use the new unit that will help the carmaker get closer to the competitors. The 2021 4Runner will be powered by a 3.5-liter V6 mill that delivers 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. This is the powerplant which currently sits under the hood of the Tacoma.
The engine will be combined with a six-speed automatic gearbox. According to some sources, a hybrid option will be offered to the buyers and an eight-speed automatic transmission will be featured later on. However, these are just rumors and they are not confirmed, so take this information with a pinch of salt. In fact, it is highly unlikely that Toyota will do either of these things.

Design and Features

The exterior is a complete mystery at this point, but the boxy design should be kept. Naturally, we are looking for some upgrades. Meanwhile, the interior should be improved with new technologies and latest features including the Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa integration option. Android Auto will not be available.

The Japanese carmaker is going to include the standard Entune 3.0 infotainment system that brings the 8-inch touchscreen. 5 USB ports are to be spread around the cabin. Driver-assist tech has been the downside of the ongoing car, but don’t expect the 2021 Toyota 4Runner to fail in this category. We are looking forward to features such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, etc.

Keep Track

Toyota plans to launch the 2021 4Runner in 2020, which means that the test mules should be caught on camera as the year draws to an end. We will get more details then, so stay tuned!

About The Author

2018carontheroad.com is a young car magazine but one with a lot of passion and effort put into it. My name is Sinisa Vujinovic and I have been a car enthusiast since I can remember. For years, motor vehicles have been a hobby of mine and now I have decided to dedicate some time to it. That's why today you have this automotive blog on your hands. My intent is to bring the latest stories from car industry directly to you, our dear reader. Car reviews, rumors, spy photos, funny stories all in one place. Hope you will enjoy reading as much as I have while writing these articles. Thanks for being here with us!